LAUREL
Archer grips my hips as he guides me across a field somewhere on our property. Blindfolded, I stumble over my own boots. I swear under my breath, and I’m glad the kids are over at the Ferguson Family Orchard at the moment.
I hate when they give me attitude for doing something I’ve told them not to do a thousand times.
Archer tightens his hold on my waist.
“Whoa,” he murmurs against my ear. “Steady there.”
“I’d be a lot steadier if I could see where I’m going.” I shake my head, and the rough bristles of his beard catch on my hair. “I don’t understand why I’m blindfolded. I already saw where we are.”
Archer chuckles, and I’m tempted to stomp the boot of my heel on his foot just to teach him a lesson.
But then, we’d probably end up bickering. Not that it would be the end of the world if we got into a little spat. The two of us have gotten awfully good at making up.
Instead, I give him a slight nudge to the ribs with my elbow.
He hisses and adjusts his hold on my hips. “Yes, but you didn’t see what’s inside the barn.”
I sigh as he releases me. A moment later, the old wooden door of the bar creeks open. He takes my hand and leads me inside.
“Okay,” I say after he closes the door behind us. “We’re in a barn. Now what?”
He moves behind me again, sliding his hands over my belly. His knuckles trail under my breasts. Instinctively, my nipples press through the thin fabric of my cotton bra and my chambray shirt.
I shiver.
“Oh.” I swallow past a lump in my throat. My voice trembles ever so slightly when I ask, “Why can’t I see what’s in the barn?”
“You will soon. It’s a surprise.”
“When do I get to see the surprise?”
“In a minute.” He nuzzles my neck, sending fresh shivers of delight up and down my spine. “I do have something to show you. But there’s something I need to do first.”
“What’s that?”
A second later, I’m pressed back against the door. I gasp as his mouth crashes against mine. I blindly grip onto his shoulders as he cups and strokes my breasts.
He presses himself against me. Through our jeans, I can feel the unmistakable evidence of his arousal. My panties grow wet as I move against him, stroking him against my belly.
“Fuck.” He hisses, tearing his mouth from mine to scrape his teeth across my jawline. “I love you.”
He flips open the button of my jeans and lowers the zipper. He slides a hand under my panties until he finds me.
I’m already wet and ready for him. I’m always wet and ready for him.
“And I love you.” I gasp as he strokes my nub just the way I like it. “Don’t you dare stop.”
He doesn’t. We’re both already so wild with need, it doesn’t take long for him to make me come.
And when he finally thrusts inside of me, our jeans pooled around our ankles and my back against the door, there’s nowhere in the world I’d rather be than here and now.
Just like there’s no one I’d rather walk through this life with.
Before our paths crossed, I’d been so alone. I just hadn’t realized it, being surrounded by so many people.
I’ve also found myself, and who I’m supposed to be. I’m a businesswoman. A mother. A wife. A lover.
I’m a woman who loves herself every bit as much as she loves her husband and kids.
Once we’ve righted our clothing, Archer removes the bandana he’d tied over my eyes and takes my hand.
“Ta-da,” he says.
I blink a couple of times as my eyes adjust. Then, a thrill of delight shoots through me.
“Is that what I think it is?” I ask.
He nods. “It’s a newly expanded facility for you to make all of your witchy potions and lotions.”
I love that he calls my skincare line that. But since they’re all made with the most magical ingredient of all—love—I can’t fault his logic.
I shake my head. “I thought you wanted to wait another year.”
“But you didn’t.” He raises our joined hands to his lips and brushes a kiss over my knuckles. “So far, you’ve been right about all of your ideas to grow your business. I figured there was no use dragging my heels now.”
My eyes burn with unshed tears. “Have I mentioned lately how much I love you?”
“You have.” He slides an arm around my shoulders and hugs me close. “But I’ll never get tired of hearing it.”
“And I’ll never get tired of saying it.”